Blizzard — Bering Strait Coast, Alaska

2026-01-17 · Bering Strait Coast, Alaska

Event narrative

The Wales Airport AWOS (PAIW) reported multiple hours of heavy snow and visibilities at or below 1/4 mile in blowing snow. Blizzard conditions prevailed throughout the day as winds remained elevated at speeds of 35 mph or greater.

Wider weather episode

Following a period of dry, Arctic conditions across Central Alaska, a potent weather shift occurred on Thursday, January 15. A strong low-pressure system entering the North Pacific coupled with high pressure over Western Canada to funnel a stream of warm, moist air into the region. As the associated warm front tracked north over the Alaska Range, it produced heavy snowfall and high winds, resulting in widespread blizzard conditions. Simultaneously, strong winds to the west triggered blizzards along the West Coast. In the wake of the front, colder air returned alongside a series of upper-level disturbances. By Friday and Saturday (January 16'17), these systems produced additional heavy snowfall across the Interior.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1312210. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.